In a year dominated by superhero blockbusters, James Gunn’s new "Superman" movie has soared to the top, becoming the highest-grossing superhero film of 2025. With a global box office haul of $472.4 million, it has outpaced major contenders including Marvel’s "Thunderbolts" and "Captain America: Brave New World," cementing its status as the defining superhero film of the year so far.
Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, and Edi Gathegi, the film marks a fresh start for the DC Universe. Gunn’s vision has clearly resonated with audiences, with the movie earning $271.7 million domestically and $200.7 million internationally. This impressive feat was highlighted last weekend when "Superman" surpassed "Thunderbolts", which ended its run with $382.1 million worldwide. It also overtook "Captain America: Brave New World," which grossed $415.1 million.
The competition remains fierce, however. Marvel’s "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," released on July 25, 2025, has made a strong showing with $57 million domestically and $106 million worldwide after its opening weekend. Though trailing "Superman," the numbers suggest a tight race ahead, with both films critical to their respective franchises’ futures.
Financially, "Superman" faces the challenge of recouping its hefty $225 million production cost plus $125 million in marketing expenses, requiring a total of $600 million to break even. While the film has already crossed the production break-even point at $450 million, it must continue to draw audiences to reach profitability.
Director James Gunn has openly discussed some hurdles, notably the impact of "anti-American sentiment" on the film’s international performance. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn reflected, "It also affects things that we have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us. So I think it’s just a matter of letting something grow." This insight helps explain why the film’s domestic success outpaces its global reception.
Back home, the film has not been without controversy. Dean Cain, who famously portrayed Superman in the 1990s TV series "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," initially criticized the new movie for being "woke." However, Cain later clarified that his comments were misconstrued, softening the criticism.
Critics and fans alike have praised the movie’s fresh approach. Unlike many superhero films that labor through origin stories, Gunn’s "Superman" throws viewers directly into the action, making it clear this is not an origin tale but a fully-fledged Superman adventure. The film’s character-driven narrative stands out, allowing both superfans and casual viewers to connect deeply with the story.
David Corenswet’s portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane form the emotional core of the film, their chemistry anchoring the narrative amidst a backdrop of geopolitical crises, a mysterious pocket universe, and the icy edge of the Arctic. Supporting performances, including Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, have also been lauded for their authenticity and depth.
James Gunn’s signature style is evident throughout, with vibrant colors, humor, and energetic musical choices punctuating the fast-paced storytelling. Some critics note that this brisk pace occasionally undercuts emotional moments, which are often quickly followed by jokes or scene changes. Yet, the film’s heart shines through, whether credited to Corenswet’s earnest performance, Gunn’s writing, or the whimsical inclusion of Krypto the Superdog.
Underlying the movie’s success is Gunn’s faithful adaptation of beloved source material. He cites the iconic comic "All Star Superman" as a heavy influence, which helps explain the film’s focus on hope—the emblem on Superman’s chest symbolizing optimism for a better tomorrow. This thematic choice contrasts with the darker tones of previous Superman adaptations, particularly those directed by Zack Snyder.
Adding to the film’s acclaim, George R.R. Martin, famed creator of "Game of Thrones," offered glowing praise on his blog, calling it "one of the best Superman movies in a long time… maybe ever." Martin applauded the film for capturing the classic Superman spirit—the "strange visitor from another planet" with powers beyond mortal men. He singled out Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane as potentially rivaling Margot Kidder’s iconic portrayal and hailed Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor as "far and away the Best Luthor of All Time, a truly chilling villain." Expressing hope that Corenswet will continue as Kal-El for "another dozen movies," Martin also noted the film’s successful return to Superman’s immigrant roots, describing the character as "an illegal immigrant, when you stop to think of it."
Meanwhile, Marvel’s "Fantastic Four: First Steps" is making waves as the first Fantastic Four film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, it opened to an estimated $118 million domestically, just behind "Superman"’s $125 million North American debut earlier in July. This marks a significant rebound from the critically panned 2015 "Fantastic Four" movie, which opened to a mere $25 million.
Both "Fantastic Four" and "Superman" carry heavy franchise expectations. The Fantastic Four’s stars are set to return in the highly anticipated "Avengers: Doomsday" in December 2026, while "Superman" is the flagship of DC’s relaunched cinematic universe, with "Supergirl" scheduled for release in June 2026. Both films have received positive critical reviews and earned an "A-" grade from audiences polled by CinemaScore, signaling strong fan approval.
July 2025 has been a boon for movie theaters, buoyed by these superhero hits and other blockbusters like "Jurassic World Rebirth," which debuted to $148 million over a five-day holiday period. Despite this success, Disney’s "Lilo & Stitch" live-action remake still holds the summer crown with a $146 million three-day opening in May and remains the only Hollywood movie this year to surpass $1 billion worldwide.
As the superhero showdown continues, both Marvel and DC appear to be on solid footing. "Superman"’s blend of hopeful storytelling, strong performances, and faithful comic book roots have propelled it to the top of 2025’s box office, while "Fantastic Four: First Steps" has reestablished a key Marvel property with promising momentum. Fans can look forward to an exciting future for both universes as these films set the stage for the next chapter in superhero cinema.
